Sunday May 28, 2023
In an effort to revive its economy after years of war and crisis, Iraq has launched a groundbreaking $17 billion project.
The initiative aims to create a comprehensive road and rail network connecting a major commodity port on the southern coast of Iraq with the Turkish border. Known as the Development Road, the ambitious venture aims to position Iraq as a key transit hub, rivaling the Suez Canal by reducing travel times between Asia and Europe.
General Company for Ports of Iraq CEO Farhan al-Fartousi emphasized the transformational potential of the Development Road. He said the project is not just for the movement of goods and passengers; instead, it holds the key to unlocking development in vast areas of Iraq.
The envisaged scope of the initiative includes high-speed trains capable of transporting goods and passengers at speeds of up to 300 kilometers (186.41 miles) per hour, integrated links with local industrial hubs and an energy component that could include the establishment of oil and gas pipelines.
This project represents a significant departure from Iraq's current outdated transport network. Currently, the country's train service operates a limited number of lines, mainly for slow oil freight and one passenger overnight train that travels from Baghdad to Basra, taking approximately 10 to 12 hours to cover a distance of 500 kilometers.
Grand Faw Port, which has been in development for more than a decade, is now halfway to completion, according to Fartousi. In addition to its strategic economic importance, the Development Road also has the potential to revitalize historic passenger transport routes between Iraq and Europe.
Fartousi expressed plans to reactivate these routes and connect them with other countries. The initiative envisages facilitating the transportation of tourists and pilgrims to the holy Shia sites in Iraq and the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrimage.
The project was announced during a conference aimed at attracting Arab interest, including investment from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Syria and Jordan. Officials emphasized the government's commitment to developing infrastructure and rebuilding roads and bridges, highlighting the relative stability that has been maintained since late last year. If construction begins early next year, Development Road is expected to be completed by 2029.
Despite the challenges Iraq faced, Fartousi expressed optimism about the future. He stated that while Iraq had been absent from the global stage for some time, it was destined to return. He hopes the launch of the Development Path marks the beginning of Iraq's resurgence as a major player in the region's economy.
